SCOUTER HALL OF FAME

The Scouter Hall of Fame starts with worthy Scouters within the district who has given distinguished service.  The district’s highest awards are the District Award of Merit, of which there can be more than one awardee each year, to the Spirit of Scouting, which is awarded to a single individual each year.  More on both of these awards and the recipients are below.

WARREN LYNCH VETERAN SCOUTER AWARD (retired)

This Kaposia District award was first given in 1999 to Warren Lynch, a long-time volunteer. The award was unique in that it is always bestowed by the previous year’s recipient.

All Veteran Scouter Award Recipients are HERE.

 

SPIRIT OF SCOUTING

The SPIRIT of SCOUTING AWARD is an annual award presented to one Eastern Waters (District G) (Previously Great Rivers District) Scouter for their outstanding service to the Scouts within the district of Northern Star Scouting. It is selected by the previous awardee and the Key 4 leadership team (“Selection Committee”). Should the previous awardee wish not to be on the selection committee, then the Key 4 leadership team will be the only members of the selection committee. The awardee must be a registered Scouter, been recipient of the District Award of Merit, and rendered at least 15 years of service to the Scouts and Scouters in our District.

Originally presented in 1987 as the Carl Kaepple Award by the Gateway District, it was embraced by the combined Gateway/Riverwood Districts merging into Great Rivers District in 2010 (when two awardees were recognized). In 2017 a decision to rename the award was undertaken by the District Committee as a means to be able to recognize other Scouters who have “gone home”.

“He trusts his uncovered head may betoken them to reverence, obedience to proper authority the well-ordered discipline so necessary to our well-being as a nation; the hatchet, on which his hand rests, may serve as a symbol of truthfulness that characterized him who first sat in the chair of state in this the birthplace of freedom in America; that he may never unsheathe it for grinding purposes; that he may never raise it in wanton destruction, but always for the defense of the weak and for hewing new, nobler standards of conduct and progress; that he may apply it unceasingly to the neck of treachery, treason, cowardice, discourtesy, dishonesty and dirt.”  – R. Tait. McKenzie

So, we now recognize those Scouters who have instilled such values to the youth of our District.

CARL KAEPPLE

Carl Kaepple joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. While a Scout, he earned the rank of Eagle. After his days as a Scout were over, he began a period of long and distinguished service to the Boy Scouts of America. In June 1942, he became a professional Scouter, and in 1951 came to St. Paul. His positions in St. Paul included those of Assistant Scout Executive and Director of Special Activities. In 1964, he retired and went back to being a volunteer. He remained a volunteer until his death in February 1983. His combined total tenure of almost 73 years is one of the longest in BSA history.

FRED BOULAY

Many people who remember Fred Boulay will recall that he was a “Well-Seasoned Scouter.” He began his journey with scouts as a youth in Canada. Moving to Illinois, he reached the rank of Life Scout, earning twenty-six merit badges. One old photo of his troop has a bunch of stern-looking fellows with one scout smiling, Fred. Fred carried the fun part of scouting to his adult years and became a Boy Scout Leader in 1979 with Troop 461 in Maplewood. Over the years he became Scoutmaster, a Venture leader, an Antelope with Wood Badge and a Vigil Honor Member of Order of the Arrow. Fred felt the most at home in a tent, no matter what the season. He went to Tomahawk over 30 years and led many High Adventure trips. Who could forget his University of Scouting classes on camping gadgets? Along the way he assisted many scouts including his son who would not have made Eagle without Fred. The last thing Fred did before he passed away was attend a troop meeting the night before. He passed on the spirit of scouting to anyone who would listen. And this same spirit will continue with the current generation of scouters.

Award recipients for the past three years.

All Spirt of Scouting Award recipients are HERE.

 

DISTRICT AWARD OF MERIT

As defined by National, the District Award of Merit is a council award presented by districts in the same manner that the Silver Beaver is a national award presented by councils.

The award is available to Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level.

The award is made available annually on the basis of 1 for each 25 traditional units or fraction thereof. The district need not
present all the awards to which it is entitled each year.

A professional Scouter or other council employee may not receive this award based on employment service. However, a professional Scouter or employee who also serves as a volunteer Scouter may be eligible, based on volunteer service.

Award recipients for the past three years

All District Award of Merit recipients are HERE.

 

Silver Beaver

The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America.

Upon nomination by their local Scout council and with the approval of the National Court of Honor, recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.

The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.

It is given to those who do not seek it.

Award recipients for the past three years

All District G Silver Beaver recipients are HERE.